Girl Scouts of the USA ( GSUSA ) today announced that Sylvia Acevedo , a member of the organization ' s National Board of Directors and longtime advocate for Hispanic , girls ', and women ' s causes , has been appointed interim chief executive officer . She succeeds Anna Maria Chávez , who has served as CEO of GSUSA since 2011 .
Earlier this month , Ms . Chávez notified the National Board of Directors of her desire to actively explore a return to public service . Ms . Chávez and the National Board have mutually agreed on an effective departure date of June 30 , 2016 . Ms . Chavez will assist Ms . Acevedo in her transition to interim CEO .
Kathy H . Hannan , President of GSU- SA ' s Board of Directors , said the organization would begin an immediate national search to find a permanent successor to Ms . Chávez .
Ms . Acevedo , who is secretary of the National Board and serves on its executive committee , is also a White House commissioner on the Presidential Initiative for Hispanic Educational Excellence and a national advocate for STEM education . She is a strategic consultant to companies that wish to use technology to capitalize on demographic trends , and she previously served as president and CEO of Communicard LLC , a firm that used innovative technology to harness market trends .
Ms . Hannan said , " Sylvia Acevedo is the ideal choice to lead GSUSA during this transitional period . She is an officer of the National Board of Directors and a talented technology executive who has held positions with some of the world ' s most respected companies . She has earned national prominence with regard to women ' s and Hispanic issues . Most importantly , she understands our mission and is committed to leading us forward ."
Ms . Acevedo , who earned her bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from New Mexico State University and a master of science from Stanford University , has long championed the importance of STEM education for young women .
" I am honored to have been selected for this role ," said Ms . Acevedo . " Throughout my career , I have been committed to giving girls the skills they need to excel in life , and I truly believe they can change the world at this decisive moment in history through their courage , confidence , and character ." Ms . Hannan added , " Anna ' s efforts have elevated Girl Scouts ' brand and created a stronger partnership with the Girl Scout councils . We thank her for her commitment to Girl Scouts and the important role she played in shaping and achieving our priorities . We wish Anna great success as she directs her boundless energy to public service ."
" It has been a tremendous privilege to lead Girl Scouts ," said Ms . Chávez . " It is an organization very close to my own beginnings , and I credit Girls Scouts with building in me the confidence and desire to make this a world where girls can realize their full potential . Girl Scouts and its leadership , at every level , are dedicated to achieving that goal , and I am honored to have been part of the mission ."
She added , " Over the last eight years my Girl Scout work at the local and national level has been extremely satisfying , and I leave with the knowledge that the Girl Scout Movement is poised to move in exciting new directions and achieve even greater success ."
We ' re Girl Scouts of the USA We ' re 2.7 million strong — 1.9 million girls and 800,000 adults who believe girls can change the world . It began over 100 years ago with one woman , Girl Scouts ' founder Juliette Gordon " Daisy " Low , who believed in the power of every girl . She organized the first Girl Scout troop on March 12 , 1912 , in Savannah , Georgia , and every year since , we ' ve made her vision a reality , helping girls discover their strengths , passions , and talents . Today we continue the Girl Scout mission of building girls of courage , confidence , and character , who make the world a better place . We ' re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls . And with programs for girls from coast to coast and across the globe , Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to do something amazing . To volunteer , reconnect , donate , or join , visit www . girlscouts . org .
Salsa in Toronto 2016
Toronto will be HOT-HOT-HOT this summer with a bigger and better Salsa in Toronto Festival running from June 30 to July 17 . Long-time supporter TD Bank Group ( TD ) has made a multi-year commitment to the event , which culminates in the popular Salsa on St . Clair Street Festival , now in its 12th year . The largest Latino-themed cultural celebration in Canada , the TD Salsa in Toronto Festival occurs over a three week period with a series of city wide events that kick off with Triple Latin Grammy winning Cuban Duo " Gente de Zona " concert on June 30th at 8pm and culminate in the 12th Annual Salsa on St . Clair free street festival on July 9th and 10th .
The Salsa on St . Clair festival was conceived and initiated by Telelatino Network in collaboration with the Hillcrest Village BIA in 2005 as a local event centred around the emerging St . Clair West streetscape of small Latino restaurants and businesses . The event has grown into a nationally recognized festival that attracts hundreds of thousands of people from across the region and beyond who love salsa and Latino culture . The TD Salsa in Toronto Festival brings an international calibre of Latin music and non-stop dancing in the streets of St . Clair , garnering attention from international major media such as CNN en Español , Jimmy Kimmel Live and Univision Network ' s biggest national shows , Despierta America and El Gordo y la Flaca .
" We are thrilled to expand our participation in Salsa in Toronto as title sponsor for the next several years ," said Scott Mullin , Vice President Community Relations , TD Bank Group . " TD celebrates the vibrancy of Latin culture in Toronto with so many things to experience and enjoy ! The Salsa in Toronto Festival captures them all ." " We are extremely proud of how our small Latino celebration has become one of the most important cultural festivals in the country and we are thrilled to continue working with TD Bank Group to grow the influence of Hispanic Canada in the years to come ," added Aldo DiFelice , Canadian Salsa Festivals Project and Telelatino Network Inc . President .
The TD Salsa in Toronto Festival is also generously supported by the City of Toronto , the Province of Ontario and the Hillcrest Village BIA and is produced by the Canadian Salsa Festivals Project , a federally incorporated Not-for-Profit organization .
For a full calendar of TD Salsa in Toronto Festival events go to SalsainToronto . com
Latin Times Magazine www . latintimesmedia . com Abraza el calor de tu cultura !